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Mudanza 2

MICHAEL

The drive home was quiet, save for the patter of rain on the windshield.

Aliana sat beside me, her hands clutching her lap, her gaze fixed on the trickles of water running down the window.

Each time lightning flashed across the sky, I caught a glimpse of her face: exhausted, defensive, still furious.

Angry at Dominic. Upset with me. Maybe frustrated with herself, too. I couldn't blame her.

She remained silent, but her silence resonated more than the thunder; still, I felt no remorse, because her safety was at the top of my list of priorities.

I wasn't sure what I despised more: the fact that Dominic had been in her home, or that I'd discovered him by chance thanks to one of my men stationed outside her building.

I'd ordered him to watch over her, not snoop; simply to ensure her safety. But to see that man walk into her apartment as if it were his own? It set a primal instinct snapping inside me.

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel.

“You’re holding the wheel again like it’s your enemy,” she commented gently, avoiding my gaze.

“Habit,” I whispered.

“It’s not good.

” “I have several of those.”

Her lips trembled as if she were going to smile, but she didn’t. She leaned her head back against the window. “You shouldn’t have sent your men to my house, Michael.”

“If I hadn’t, you’d be in trouble now.

” “I never expressed my gratitude.

” “I noticed.

” She sighed. “I can take care of myself.

” “I have no doubt about that. However, that doesn’t mean I want you to. I’m your man; I always protect you.”

Finally, her gaze shifted to me. “You can’t protect everyone.” “

Not at all. Only yourself.”

Her head moved slightly, astonished by the ease with which the words flowed. To be honest, I was surprised too.

She looked back out the window. “You can’t be serious.”

“I’m totally serious,”

Michael said softly. “You can’t just claim I’m yours because you showed up on time tonight.”

I looked at her, really looked at her. The rain made her look more delicate, almost fragile. “Who said you were *only* mine?”

She met my gaze once more. “You did. Every time you make decisions for me without consulting me.”

Valid point.

I didn’t respond immediately. I simply drove into the underground parking garage and parked. The storm outside was still raging, but within these walls, the universe seemed more confined. Our emotions were taking over, but the truth was, I enjoyed protecting her, even though she hated it.

I turned off the engine and faced her. “I never meant to take away your choices. However, I won’t apologize for ensuring your safety. First and foremost, you belong to yourself before you belong to me, but you do belong to me.

” “Do you think that’s what safety means?” she asked, unbuckling her seatbelt. “That others choose what’s best for you?”

I ran my fingers through my hair. “Maybe not. I’m sorry if that upsets you, but for tonight, I’m glad I crossed your boundary and kept you safe.”

Her breath hitched slightly, but she remained silent. Instead, she opened the door and stepped out; the click of her heels echoed through the empty garage. I followed her immediately; I had no intention of watching her go to bed upset.

Inside the elevator, the silence was heavy again. She was still wet, her hair plastered to her neck, droplets clinging to her eyelashes. I felt a ludicrous urge to reach out and wipe them away.

I cleared my throat. “I have some clothes at my place. I had a few items brought in.”

She gave me a sharp look. “Did you plan this?”

“As someone who overthinks, I plan everything.

” “That’s not reassuring.”

“I didn’t claim it was.”

The elevator rang. When the doors opened, we stepped into my penthouse: minimalist design, dark furniture, soft lighting, and a subtle cedar scent. I didn’t usually bring many people here. Perhaps that’s why her presence felt so vibrant.

She set her bag down by the sofa and crossed her arms. “Nice place.

” “You’ve been here before.”

“Only once. For a meeting. You didn’t speak to me then.”

I remembered. I hadn’t spoken because I didn’t trust myself to.

“Would you like something to drink?” I asked as I headed into the kitchen.

“A glass of water is fine.

” “Boring.

” “I’ve had enough excitement for tonight.”

I poured two glasses anyway and handed her one. She took it carefully so as not to touch my fingers. She was being cautious; We kept our distance. I respected that, even though every instinct inside me urged me to close it.

“Do you still think I overreacted?” I asked.

“I feel like you barged into my life and then decided to rebuild the house you demolished,” she said calmly.

I blinked and then chuckled. “It’s a poetic way of saying I’m controlling.

” “I meant it literally.

” “I know.”

We stood there for a while, the rain drumming against the glass walls. She gazed at the city lights. I gazed at her. Finally, she let out a deep sigh.

“Why did you really come tonight?”

“You know.”

“I’d like to hear you say it.”

“He doesn’t deserve to be in the same room as you,” I said gently. “If I hadn’t walked in when I did, he could have ended up doing something even worse.”

She frowned. “More serious?

” “Yes. I could have killed him, you know.”

She looked at me intently. “You’re joking.

I wasn’t.” However, she didn’t need to know.

“Michael…” she replied, shaking her head. “You can’t keep doing this.

” “Doing what?

” “Acting as if you can change people by controlling their experiences.

” “I don’t have control over you.

” “Really?” she questioned. “You just informed me that I’m moving here.

” “Because you’re safer here.

” “Being safe doesn’t equal being free.”

Her words hit me harder than I anticipated. I looked away, massaging the back of my neck. “You turn everything into a battle.”

She shrugged. “Occasionally it is.”

I set my glass down on the table and walked over to the window. The city's reflection glittered in the glass: bright, wet, and vibrant. I felt her gaze on me from behind. It was as if she were contemplating whether to stay or run.

When I glanced back, she was on the sofa, barefoot, her feet tucked under her. She looked tired like that. I sat down across from her.

"You're upset with me."

"I'm in shock," she corrected. "I'm not sure how to interpret you.

" "I'm not really complex."

She gave a small snort. "You're a billionaire CEO who hires men to kick my husband out of my house and then demands I move in with you. That sounds difficult.

" I found it irresistible to smile. "You forgot to mention 'handsome.'"

Her lips curved into a smile. "Oh, yes. Include 'delusional.'"

That prompted a soft laugh from me—the kind that seemed unguarded, surprising even me.

"See?" she asked. "You do laugh."

"Sometimes.

" "When it suits you?"

"When you make it happen."

The way she looked at me then—as if she couldn't decide between smiling and running away—hit me right in the chest. I've seen countless women joke, charm, and seduce. None of it ever made an impression on me, but she does it all the time. And that was what scared me most.

I leaned back. "You'll stay here for the time being. We'll work out the rest of the details later.

" She frowned. "You keep using the term 'we.' There is no 'we,' Michael." "

There is now."

She exhaled. "You're unbelievable."

"I've heard that before."

Her silence stretched out once more, but this time more gently. I could tell she was fighting off sleep; fatigue was getting the better of her.

“Let’s go,” I said, getting up. “The guest room is at the end of the hall.”

“I can use the sofa.”

“No, you can’t.”

She shot me a look. “Clearly, you have a hard time taking no for an answer, don’t you?

” “Not when it’s you.

” For a moment, she was still. Then she got up, muttering something about “stubborn men and their hero complexes,” and followed me down the hall.

The guest room was cozy, the lights dimmed. I had it ready beforehand: clean sheets, soft lighting. She paused in the doorway, hesitant. “

She repeated, ‘You really planned this.’”

I smiled weakly. “Maybe I meant to. ”

She met my gaze with her arms crossed. “Why?”

“I realized that someday you’d need a place to settle down.”

Her gaze softened at that, just a little. “You look too far ahead.

” “I call it strategy.

” “I call it obsession.”

“Pretty much the same result and meaning.”

She tilted her head, somewhere between smiling and frustrated. “Sleep well, Michael.”

“Good night, Aliana.”

She closed the door behind her.

I stood there for a long time, staring at the wood as if I could see through it. Hear her breathing. Feel the storm subside in her heart. Eventually, I retreated to my study.

I was unable to sleep. Not with all the memories flooding my thoughts: Dominic’s expression, Aliana’s surprise, her tone when she declared she could take care of herself. I poured myself a drink and sat down, letting the warmth soothe my throat. My phone vibrated.

*Kane (Bodyguard): Dominic has left the area. We escorted him to his hotel. Do you want us to continue watching?*

*I replied: No. It’s over.* For now.

I leaned back, exhaling gently. The bustling city below was vibrant and awake, just like me. For the first time, I understood that my fear wasn’t Dominic; it was her leaving without a word. Because I understand the feeling of being left without warning by someone you love, and I never want to experience anything like that again.

The soft sound of a knock brought me back to reality.

“Come in,” I said.

The door creaked slightly. Aliana was standing there, wrapped in one of my shirts, her hair still wet from the shower, her bare feet on the floor. My heart skipped a beat, as if it had lost its rhythm. She could have chosen from the numerous dresses and nightgowns, but she was wearing my shirt.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she stated gently.

I set my glass down. “Nightmares?

” “Just thoughts.

” “About Dominic?”

She shook her head. “About you.

Wow…”

She entered gradually, scanning her surroundings. “Do you always work this late?

” “Only when I can’t stop thinking.

” “About what?

” “About you.”

She gave me that look again, caught between skepticism and understanding. “You can’t keep making comments like that, Michael.

” “Why don’t you try?”

“You sound like a man making promises.

” “Aren’t they?”

She gasped and looked down. “You have no idea what you’re asking for, do you?”

“I do.

” “Oh, really?” she murmured. “Because once you start something with me, it’s never easy again. I’m difficult. I get flustered, I overthink things, I leave when I feel trapped.

” “Then I’ll follow you.”

She shook her head slowly from side to side. “You can’t fix me.

” “I’m not trying to. I just don’t want you handling everything yourself.”

Silence returned. Only the rain, now softer. Her gaze met mine, filled with thoughts I wasn’t ready to express. Finally, she let out a sigh.

“You need to get some sleep.

” “You too, love.”

She made a move to leave, then stopped in the doorway. “Mike?

” “Yes?

” “Thanks. For coming when you did tonight.”

I smiled weakly. “Anytime, love.”

And just like that, she was gone; the door closed silently behind her, leaving her scent and a whirlwind of emotions I couldn’t quell.

I leaned back in my seat, staring at the ceiling. I’d spent years building walls around everything: work, feelings, relationships. And tonight, she walked right through them like smoke.

Maybe I’m crazy, but I’ll make sure she never leaves me, because for years I tried my hardest to experience any kind of emotional feeling and failed; but one look from her and I’m lost. It’s been a blessing that her idiot husband didn’t appreciate what he had, because I’m never going to give it back to him.

Michael has taken a decisive step by bringing Aliana onto his own turf. Although she fights for her independence, Michael's final confession reveals that she has broken down defenses he spent years building. However, Dominic's shadow and the fact that Aliana is technically still married promise legal complications and 

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